Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-03-18

senger's conduct, Barnaby became more
than ever convinced that something was
wrong.
"Now 1 wonder who that dun skunk is
he ~soliloquized, as he drove onward.
"Thar's been so many of them cussed
agents" about hyar lately that We kant
tell an honest man when We see him. Like
as not thar'n be trouble fore I can git to
Saint Louey. But I'll be ready for EN-,
and if they stops me somethin' is goin' to
drop, sure"
About nightfall the last station was
reached. Horses we're changed, rough re-
freshments secured, and away they ratified
at q brisk pace for st. Louis. When dark
ness had fully settled down Barnaby
pulled up his horses and jumping out,
called the men from the coach and said:
gents, I believe hat Teller we left back
thar means mischief. Down hyar about
ten miles is Murdock's Gap, a hard place.
md more'n one stage has been stopped
thar. I've got the mail on board and she
am goin' through; besides thar's the
weemin', and if them road-agents gifts
hands on them, they'll handle 'em rough.
Have your guns ready and if they try to
stop us, give it to 'em, and don't blame me
II we don't git to St. Louis tonight"
With this he again mounted the box and
drove on. Some Of the passengers pooh
poohed the idea, while others seemed to
believe there might be something in what
the driver said. But it did seem impossible
that III attack would be made on eight
men, all we'll armed, and a bluff young
fellow exclaimed in a confident voice:
"Tll bet an even hundred there isn't q
r~oad-agent on the route tonight, and even
if there was they wouldn't stop u.s."
"Don't be toe sure, young man." re-
marked an elderly gentleman whose dress
and demeanor denoted contact with the
rough edges of the world. 81 have known
bigger loads than this to be sheld up by
one man. I for one don't feel disposed to
slight the drivers warming" and he looked
to the loads in his revolvers. The others,
stimulated by the example of their elderly
companion, did the same, and it was soon
evident that any II stopping that coach
would meet with a warm reception.
Barnaby had loosened the revolvers in
his belt to be ready for instant action, and
gathering up the reins he cracked his whip
over the leaders and was off like q rocket.
Mile after mile was traversed at almost
break-neck speed. The night grew dark,
and shifting clouds 80 obscured the moons
surface as to render that orb of but little
value in distinguishing the trail. They
were now nearing the most dangerous
place on the road. Murlock's Gap, about
ten miles from st. Louis. and just ahead
could be seen the dim outlines of a huge
rock of sandstone, such as is often found
in the hills bordering the Mississippi flats,
forming an immense cross, jagged and
torn, yet to all intents a perfectly-pro-
portioned cross. When just opposite this
huge freak of nature a let of flame
flashed forth and the near leader fell
dead, killed by a rifle bullet, and a dozen
men, led by the man who had been q pas
senger with them, rushed out to surround
the coach.
But they were not to meet with an easy
victory. A revolver cracked in the hands
of the elderly man, anu a robber fell
MORALLY wounded. Again and again came
whip-like reports showing that neither
party were idle. Barnaby leaped from his
seat to the back of IL of the wheel
horses, thence to the end of the tongue,
and drawing his knife severed the traces of
the dead leader, and endeavored to regain
his place. The frightened animals, re-
leased from the sucumbrance sprang for
ward with a bound, while a hail of lead
ratified round them. Struck in the side by
a ball Barnaby fell from the horse to the
ground, dying, but with enough strength
left to draw a revolver, and rising to his
knees he had the satisfaction of seeing one
of the robbers fall from the effects of his
shot. The coach vanished in the darkness,
but after running o mile the horses, COM
pletely winded, came to q stop. One OF
the passengers mounted the drivers seat
and headed them for st. Louis, when the
story of the attack soon spread, and a
posse was organized, spurred in their de.
sire for revenge and justice by an addi.
tional reward of $500 offered by George
Leeson, whose daughters were delivered
over TO his care, uninjured, but Frustrated
with the fright they had received.
The avengers, under directions of one Of
the male passengers, Immediately sough,
the scene of the attack. Arriving there,
the dead body of Barnaby Munson was
found, while lying near were the forms Of
three w%ell-known St. Louis desperadoes
The rest of the gang were afterward trailed
down and met q merited death at the hands
of an enraged popu.ace.
The remains Of Barnaby Munson were
taken to st. Louis and decently buried
and over his grave was erected a beautiful
stone with the fitting tribute, "Faitful Until
Death"
People who still live in that city who
know the early history of the place, art
won't to regale visitors with this story, ant
if one desires to take the trouble he ma,
find the exact location of the affray, wher
he will be confronted by the great cross
upon which the moss and lichens cling, III
ivy to the giant oak. and which is know
through oil the country side as "Barnaby'!
LCross." 1t will Withstand the shocks anG
weather the storms of ages, a fitting mon.